On day 20 of first hatching - have several questions

[eblevens]

Woke up to another hatched chick, but no additional pipping or progress beyond that. Our first hatched chick hasn't fluffed much, but is more stable...is it ok to keep him in the bator for another 12 hours? I worry about not giving him any water for a full 24 hours.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Chicks absorb enough nutrients to go up to 3 days without food or water. If the chick has not dried out by now your humidity is really high. Your probably seeing condensation on the windows of incubator. If it were me I'd remove both chicks now. In doing so their drying wont add excess moisture and the act of lifting lid enough to remove them will help get some moisture out of the incubator.

 

[eblevens]

This lil guy has made no progress in 10 hours. Still ok?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

This lil guy has made no progress in 10 hours. Still ok?

I can't see from the pic. Are the membranes still nice and white and papery? That's what you want to see, nice white membrane. Now, (I know there are those that are going to get sick of seeing me say this, but...) if you have a mobile device in which you can go to youtube, bring up a video of chicks chirping (I use one called day old chicks peeping, I believe it is.) Play it near the bator. It keeps my zippers zipping and they are usually out w/in 15 minutes, start to finish. Really motivates them.

 

[WalnutHill]

I can't see from the pic. Are the membranes still nice and white and papery? That's what you want to see, nice white membrane. Now, (I know there are those that are going to get sick of seeing me say this, but...) if you have a mobile device in which you can go to youtube, bring up a video of chicks chirping (I use one called day old chicks peeping, I believe it is.) Play it near the bator. It keeps my zippers zipping and they are usually out w/in 15 minutes, start to finish. Really motivates them.

I just make sure I always have chicks in the baby brooder in the next room.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I just make sure I always have chicks in the baby brooder in the next room.

My brooder is only 3 feet away from my bator, and they still don't motivate them as well as the video does...lol

 

[eblevens]

I'm still worried about that one. He pipped 24 hours ago, started zipping 18 hours ago, stopped completely for 11 hours, and finally worked out. He looks very "sticky," and his head is tucked nearly under his belly. I haven't seen him open his eyes. He's chirping a lot, and made his way onto his feet, but he looks weak.

 

[eblevens]

My little fighter is still surprising me. He's standing, and holding his head up. Still super sticky and weak. Is it possible to wipe him with warm cloth? I don't have any electrolyte solution, but is there anything I can do to give him a boost?

 

[WenterRooster]

It's day 22 and they are still hatching. Currently have 14 hatched,3 pipped and 1 zipping. I have a video of one hatching. What a beautiful thing to watch. Have a great day everyone.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

My little fighter is still surprising me. He's standing, and holding his head up. Still super sticky and weak. Is it possible to wipe him with warm cloth? I don't have any electrolyte solution, but is there anything I can do to give him a boost?

Clean water and crumbles is all it should need. The feed is going to give it energy. Besides the normal chick naps if it seems more lethargic than others you can pick up a packet (think sold in 3 packs like yeast) of the vitamin and electrolite mix that treats a gallon of water from your feed store.

You should clean the chick the best you can with warm wash cloth especially around the vent area. The late hatchers and especially if the humidity was on the high side get sticky. It can clog up the vent area and they will need to poop. Keep an eye out for pasty butt too. That you'll have to constantly clean.